A TRIP TO JAMAICA

A LITTLE BIT OF JAMAICA'S HISTORY

• The island came under Spanish rule following the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1494. Named Santiago, the island remained possession of Spain until 1655, when England conquered it and renamed it Jamaica .
• Under British colonial rule Jamaica become a leading sugar exporter, with its plantation economy highly dependent on slaves forcibly transported from Africa.

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• The British fully emancipated all slaves in 1838. Beginning in the 1840's, the British imported Chinese and Indian indentured labour to work on plantations.
• The island achieved independence from the United Kingdom on August 6, 1962.

NATIONAL SYMBOLS

• National bird: red-billed streamertail (also called doctor bird) (a hummingbird, Trochilus polytmus)
• National flower – lignum vitae (Guiacum officinale)
• National tree: blue mahoe (Hibiscus talipariti elatum)
• National fruit: ackee (Blighia sapida)
• National motto: "Out of Many, One People."

PLACES TO VISIT IN JAMAICA

• Dunn's River Falls
• Rose Hall Great House
• Doctor's Cave Beach
• Kingston
• The Bob Marley Museum
• Rio Grande River
• Blue Hole, Ocho Ríos

DUNN'S RIVER FALLS

• Dunn's River Falls is one of Jamaica's most famous natural attractions. The Falls tumble over rocks and limestone ledges into the sea.
• Visitors can climb the natural tiers to the top of the falls with the aid of a guide, while the less agile can cool off in the refreshing pools at the base.

ROSE HALL GREAT HOUSE

• Built in 1770, Rose Hall is a restored plantation house with beautiful ocean views. Legendary Annie Palmer (the White Witch) ruled here with cruelty and met a violent death.
• Today her home is adorned with period furniture and visitors can choose between a day tour or a spooky candlelit evening tour topped off with tales of ghost sightings.

KINGSTON

• At the foot of the Blue Mountains, Jamaica's busy capital city offers a cosmopolitan contrast to the island's relaxed pace. Kingston can be intimidating, but visitors can view some of the town's attractions on organized tours.
• The Bob Marley Museum, at the reggae superstar's former home, is Kingston's most-visited attraction, Highlights are Marley's bedroom with his star-shaped guitar by the bed. Look for the bullet holes in the rear wall, evidence of an assassination attempt.

WHY DO I LOVE JAMAICA?

• Jamaica is such a beautiful place in general, but there are some things that I personally love about it.
• The people
• ""No problem""
• The culture
• Such beautiful beaches
• The food
• Dunn's River Falls
• The ambience